Image display system, image display method and display unit

ABSTRACT

A picture display system having two display devices and a base device for supplying picture signals to one of the display devices and capable of having bidirectional communication with the other display device is disclosed. The picture display system ( 1 ) is made up by a mobile display device ( 100 ), a base device ( 200 ) and a large format display device ( 300 ). The base device ( 200 ) sends picture signals to the display device ( 100 ) and to the large format display device ( 300 ). On a display image surface of the mobile display device ( 100 ), there is provided a touch panel for detecting the contact position contacted by a user for displaying a remote-control panel RP accepting an operating input from the user on the display image surface. An operating signal conforming to a display item of the remote-control panel RP, displayed at a contact position, detected by the touch panel, is generated and transmitted by wireless communication to the base device ( 200 ). This base device ( 200 ) selects the picture signals, supplied from the external inputting devices ( 400 ), as a supply source of picture signals, responsive to an operating signal, to transmit the so selected picture signals to the large format display device ( 300 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a picture display system having two displaydevices and a base device for supplying picture signals to one of thedisplay devices and capable of having bidirectional communication withthe other display device. This invention also relates to a picturedisplay method for the picture display system, and to a displayapparatus used in this picture display system and capable of havingbidirectional communication with the base device.

This application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No.2002-197683, filed in Japan on Jul. 5, 2002, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND ART

In adjusting the picture quality or setting the timer in e.g. a TVreceiver, a menu for selecting the processing that may be executed isdisplayed on a display image surface of a TV receiver by e.g. buttonactuation of a remote controller of the TV receiver. A user selects thetargeted processing, using the remote controller of the TV receiver, andactuates the remote controller in accordance with guidance commandsdemonstrated on the display image surface to carry out targetedprocessing, such as adjustment of the picture quality or timer setting.

In a receiver for receiving satellite broadcast (BS) signals, termed STB(set-top box) or IRD (integrated receiver decoder), data indication,such as electronic program guide, termed EPG, is demonstrated on adisplay image surface of a monitor receiver. In this case, the userselects the program, desired to be viewed, on the basis of theelectronic program guide demonstrated on the display image surface ofthe monitor receiver, in order to change the selected channel of thereceiver.

In this manner, in a TV receiver or a receiver for receiving TVbroadcast signals, various artifices are used to enable the targetedprocessing to be executed comprehensibly and with relative ease, bycombining the menu, guidance or the information display, such aselectronic program guide, with the remote controller operation.

However, with the system in which, for having the TV receiver, STB orthe IRD perform the targeted operations, the needed information, such asmenu or guidance, is demonstrated on the display image surface, and aremote controller is actuated, as the user views the so displayedinformation, the remote controller operation tends to be complicated.

For example, there are occasions where the menu page feed needs to becarried out a plural number of times, the remote controller operationmust be repeated for causing cursor movement on the display imagesurface or decision operations must be carried out through the remotecontroller, in order to display a menu including the targeted processingas selected items from plural menus.

It may be contemplated that, with use of an LCD (liquid crystal display)for a monitor device for a TV receiver, the tendency is that the monitordevice is reduced in size and weight and portable, such that the monitordevice is used at a location within the reach of the user's arm. In suchcase, the user will feel that the remote controller of the TV receiveris unnecessary, while the remote controller of an external input device,such as a receiver for supplying picture or speech signals to the TVreceiver, may, if possible, be dispensed with.

With this in mind, the present Assignee has already proposed in e.g. theJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-34023 abidirectional communication system in which the picture information,such as TV programs, may be viewed or the speech information may beheard, using a display device, the base device or the external inputdevice connected to the base device may be remote-actuated using thedisplay information for operation displayed on display elements of thedisplay device, in order to enable the remote operation to be carriedout without complicated operations, and in order to enable theconstruction of the home network more friendly to the user.

Meanwhile, in the bidirectional communication system, described in theJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-34023, thebase device or the external input device connected to the base devicemay be remote-operated, through the display information for operation,demonstrated on the display elements of the display device, in such amanner that the desired picture may readily be selected and demonstratedon the display device.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel picturedisplay system, a picture display method and a display device employingthe above-described bidirectional communication system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a picturedisplay system and a picture display method in which, in supplyingpicture signals from the base device to two or more display devices, thebase device may be remote-operated from one display device to enablepictures to be displayed on the other display device, through the use ofthe above-described bidirectional communication system, and a displaydevice in such image display system in which it is possible toremote-operate the base device.

For accomplishing the above object, a picture display system accordingto the present invention includes first and second display devices and abase device for supplying picture signals to at least the first displaydevice. The first display device includes a picture display unit fordisplaying the picture signals supplied from the base device. The seconddisplay device includes a display unit for displaying the displayinformation for operation, for accepting an operating input from a user,an operating input accepting means for accepting an operating input froma user, an operating signal generating means for generating operatingsignals conforming to display items of the display information foroperation, as specified by the operating input accepting means, and acommunication means for transmitting the operating signals to the basedevice. The base device includes a picture signal outputting a means foroutputting the picture signals at least to the first display device, acommunication means for receiving the operating signals at least fromthe second display device, an external input device connecting means forconnecting the base device to an external input device as a source ofsupply of the picture signals, and a control signal transmitting meansfor transmitting an external input device control signal, controllingthe external input device, based on the operating signal, to theexternal input device.

With the picture display system according to the present invention, anoperating signal conforming to an operating input from a user isgenerated in the second display device and transmitted to the basedevice. The external input device, as a supply source of picturesignals, coupled to the base device, is controlled based on theoperating signal to send a desired picture to the first display devicefor display thereon. The second display device, accepting the operationfrom the user, may be operated as a remote operating device for thefirst display device.

The operating input accepting means of the second display device mayinclude the contact position detection means for detecting a contactposition on a display surface of the display unit adapted to becontacted by a user. The operating signal generating means may generatean operating signal conforming to a display item of the displayinformation for operation displayed at a contact position on the displayimage surface detected by the contact position detection means.

The communication means of the base device may transmit at least aresponse signal to the operating signal to the display device, and thecommunication means of the second display device may receive theresponse signal.

The base device may further include tuner means and send picture signalsselected by the tuner means based on the operating signal via thepicture signal outputting means to the first display device.

The first display device further may include tuner means and displaypicture signals selected by the tuner means based on an operating signalfrom the base device on the picture display unit.

The control signal transmitting means of the base device may transmitthe external input device control signal for the external input deviceover a wireless route.

The control signal transmitting means of the base device may transmitthe external input device control signal for the external input deviceby infrared signals over a wireless route.

The base device forming the picture display system according to thepresent invention may further include receiving means connected to acommunication network and adapted for receiving information signalstransmitted through the communication network, transmission controlmeans for performing control for transmitting the information signals toa specified display device in case the operating signal is atransmission command for transmitting the information signals to thefirst display device and/or the second display device, and transmissioninformation transmitting means which, in case the operating signal isthe transmission information to be sent to a counterpart connected tothe base device over the communication network, sends the transmissioninformation over the communication network to the target counterpart.

The display information for operation may be transparently displayed onthe display image surface.

The external input device connecting means may be connected via anamplifier to the external input device as a source of supply of theimage signals.

The second display device may have an interlock/non-interlock functionof selecting whether or not picture signals supplied to the firstdisplay device are to be switched in association operatively withdisplay contents of the display information for operation. That is, withthe interlocked operation, the input of the first display device mayalso be changed over in association operatively with the switching ofthe display information for operation. With the non-interlockedoperation, the display contents of the display information for operationmay be changed over without changing over the input of the first displaydevice.

The picture displaying method of the picture display system, includingfirst and second display devices and a base device for supplying picturesignals to at least the first display device, comprises an acceptingstep of accepting an operating input from a user based on the displayinformation for operation on a display image surface of the seconddisplay device, an operating signal generating step of generating anoperating signal conforming to a display item of the display informationfor operation, specified by the accepting step, an operating signaltransmitting step of transmitting the operating signal to the basedevice via bidirectional communication means exchanging signals betweenthe second display device and the base device, and an external inputdevice controlling step of controlling an external input device as asupply source of the picture signals based on the operating signal.

A display apparatus according to the present invention comprisescommunication means for exchanging signals with a base device connectedto an external input device as a supply source of a plurality of picturesignals and adapted for supplying preset picture signals to at least onepicture display device, display means for displaying the displayinformation for operation for accepting an operating input from a user,operating input accepting means for accepting an operating input from auser, and operating signal generating means for generating an operatingsignal conforming to a display item of the display information foroperation specified by the operating input accepting means. Theoperating signal is sent over the communication means to the basedevice, and the base device sends a preset image signal from theexternal input device to the picture display device for display thereon.

Other objects and advantages, to be derived from the present invention,will become apparent from the following description of the preferredembodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a picture display system according tothe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a mobile type display apparatusforming a picture display system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a base device forming the picturedisplay system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a remote control panel demonstratedon a mobile display device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a remote control panel for videodemonstrated on the mobile display device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of a setting image surfacedemonstrated on the mobile display device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of an image surface forsetting details of the remote controller demonstrated on the mobiledisplay device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of an index demonstratingimage surface demonstrated on the mobile display device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation in demonstrating a remotecontrol panel RP by the mobile display device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile displaydevice, base device and a large format display device in effectingremote controlling processing by the remote control panel RP.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile displaydevice, base device and a large format display device in effecting inputswitching operations of the remote control panel RP and the large formatdisplay device.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a picture display system in case anumber of external inputting devices are connected via amplifiers to anexternal input terminal of the base device.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a remote control panel for anamplifier demonstrated on the mobile display apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view for a television receiver demonstrated onthe mobile display device in case of non-interlocked input switching.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view for a video tape recorder demonstrated onthe mobile display device in case of non-interlocked input switching.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A picture display system according to the present invention and apicture display system and apparatus used in this picture display systemare hereinafter explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the following example, the present invention is applied to a picturedisplay system having a large format display device (first displaydevice), a mobile display device (second display device) and a basedevice (base station) for supplying pictures at least to this largeformat display device. The base device is remote-controlled by wirelesscommunication by the mobile display device to control the external inputdevice supplying a picture to the large format display device to effectwireless bidirectional communication between the base device and themobile display device adapted for displaying a picture on the largeformat display device.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a picture display system according to thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the picture display systemincludes a mobile display device 100 (second display device) 100, suchas a liquid crystal display device, having an LCD 107 as a display unit,a base device (base station) 200, and a large format display device(first display device) 300, such as a large format plasma displaydevice, connected to this base device 200 over a dedicated connectioncable 350. A plural number of external inputting devices (externalinputting equipment) 400, as supply sources for picture signals, areconnected to the base device 200. The picture signals, supplied fromthese external inputting devices 400, are supplied via base device 200to the mobile display device 100 and to the large format display device300 for display thereon. The mobile display device 100 is able tocommunicate by wireless communication with the base device 200 toreceive signals from and to transmit signals to the base device 200.

The base device 200 includes an external input terminal (external inputdevice connecting means), not shown, and may be connected to a varietyof external input devices 400, such as VTR (video tape recorder), STB(set top box), IRD (integrated receiver-decoder) or DVD (DigitalVersatile Disc). The external input devices 400 may be exemplified by,for example, a video deck 401, a DVD 402 and a STB 403, such as BS(broadcast satellite) digital tuner. In the present embodiment, the basedevice 200 is provided with seven external input terminals forconnection to the external input equipment and hence may be connected toseven external inputting devices. It is however possible to provide anysuitable optional number of external input terminals as necessary.

The base device 200 is supplied with picture signals or speech signalsof satellite broadcast programs from e.g. the STB 403 of the externalinputting devices 400. These information signals are sent over theconnection cable 350 to the large format display device 300, while beingsupplied by wireless signals to the mobile display device 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile display device 100 is able to display apanel for remote operation (display information for operation) RP,having the α blend (transparent) display function for accepting anoperating input controlling the external inputting devices 400. Thispanel for remote operation, referred to below as remote-control panel,may be displayed as necessary on the LCD 107. A user is able toremote-operate the base device 200 via this remote-control panel RP toselect picture signals supplied from the external inputting devices 400for display on the mobile display device 100 and on the large formatdisplay device 300. The mobile display device 100 is provided with aremote-control button 123, by which the remote-control panel RP may bedisplayed.

The remote-control panel RP is a so-called software key displayed by thesoftware run by a controller of the mobile display device 100. On theLCD 107 is bonded a touch panel (contact position detection means) fordetecting the contact position on the display surface of the LCD 107,contacted by the user. An operating input from the user may be acceptedbased on the display on the remote-control panel RP and the touch panel.

The remote-control panel RP includes e.g. a power supply on/off key, anumber key for channel selection, channel up/down key and a sound volumeup/down key.

When touched by e.g. the user's finger, the touch panel of the mobiledisplay device 100 detects this contact position (coordinate position)to discriminate the operating key (operating item) forming theremote-control panel RP displayed at the contact position. The mobiledisplay device 100 forms an operating signal conforming to thisoperating key to transmit the operating signal to the base device 200via wireless route.

Based on the remote-control panel RP and the touch panel, displayed onthe LCD 107 of the mobile display device 100, the user effects anoperating input for the external inputting devices 400, by a so-calledone-touch operation, to remote-control the external inputting devices400 through the base device 200 to display a desired picture on thelarge format display device 300. In this manner, bi-directionalcommunication is possible between the mobile display device 100 and thebase device 200.

Meanwhile, a remote signal transmitter (remote-control mouse) 250, fortransmitting infrared remote-control signals, is connected to the basedevice 200 to generate a remote control signal conforming to theoperating signal from the mobile display device 100 to send the signalto the external inputting device 400. This external inputting device 400includes a remote control signal receiving unit 251, such as aphotodetector, for receiving remote control signals of the infraredlight. The external inputting device 400 receives a remote-controlsignal from the remote control mouse 250 of the base device 200, and maybe remote-controlled, responsive to this remote-control signal, forturning the power supply of the external inputting device 400 on or off.

The base device 200 also includes a tuner means to receive TV broadcastsignals to send the so received TV broadcast signals to the large formatdisplay device 300.

The mobile display device 100 is small-sized and lightweight andconnected to the base device 200 by wireless communication, so that themobile display device 100 is transportable. The user may carry themobile display device to any place within a sphere of possiblecommunication with the base device 200.

Thus, the user is able to use the mobile display device 100, in order totransmit a TV broadcast program, as selected by the tuner of the basedevice 200, satellite broadcast programs provided by the satellitebroadcast signals, as selected by the STB 403, connected as the externalinputting device to the base device 200, or motion pictures, reproducedby a VTR or a DVD device, to the large format display device 300, forviewing.

It is moreover possible to acquire the information of the so-called homepage, provided on a communication network, such as the Internet, fromthe mobile display device 100, to view the information of the home page,to receive an E-mail addressed to the user to display the E-mail on theLCD 107, or to prepare and send an E-mail to a counterpart party ofdestination, through a modem of the base device 200.

In preparing an E-mail, a software keyboard, composed of alphabet keysor Japanese 50-syllable keys, on the LCD 107, by performing presetoperations on the mobile display device 100, to prepare the E-mailthrough this software keyboard and the touch panel. By performing presetoperations, such as acting on transmitting keys, the E-mail prepared maybe sent to the base device 200 and thence to the target counterpartparty.

Thus, the base device 200 acts as a base for connecting a variety ofinformation transmission media, including the external inputtingdevices, such as STB 403, ground wave TV broadcast or communicationnetworks, such as the Internet, to the mobile display device 100. Byremote operating the base device 200 by the mobile display device 100,information signals can be supplied to the large format display device300 from the base device 200, reproduced and output for presentation tothe user. On the other hand, the mobile display device 100 is able toform the information for transmission, such as the E-mail, to transmitthe information via the base device 200.

The various devices that make up the bidirectional communication system,according to the present invention, are hereinafter explained. First,the mobile display device 100 of the picture display system isexplained. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the mobile display device100 forming the picture display system according to the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile display device 100 includes atransmitting/receiving antenna 101, a antenna co-use unit 102, areceiving processing unit 103, a decoder 104, an OSD (on-screen display)processor 105, a picture signal processor 106, an LCD 107, a speechsignal amplifier 108, a loudspeaker 109, a transmission signal former111, a transmission processor 112, a touch panel 121 and a coordinatedetection unit 122.

The various parts of the mobile display device 100 are controlled by acontroller 130. The controller 130 is a micro-computer composed of a CPU(central processing unit) 131, a ROM (read-only memory) 132, a RAM(random-access memory) 133, and an EEPROM (electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory) 134, interconnected over a CPU bus 135.

The ROM 132 has recorded therein data needed for processing or a varietyof processing programs run on this mobile display device 100. The RAM133 is used mainly as a work area for a variety of processingoperations, such as transient storage and retention of data obtained invarious processing operations.

The EEPROM 134 is a so-called non-volatile memory. Even on power down,the information stored and held in the EEPROM is not lost. The EEPROMmemorizes and holds a variety of setting parameters, home pages on theInternet, acquired through the base device 200, E-mails prepared andtransmitted through the base device 200, or received E-mails.

The operation of the mobile display device 100 in receiving wirelesssignals from the base device 200 is now explained.

Between the mobile display device 100 and the base device 200, wirelesscommunication takes place using a preset protocol, e.g. the protocol ofthe IEEE (Institute Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 systemor a protocol corresponding to the extension thereof.

The wireless signals, conforming to the preset communication protocolfrom the base device 200, are received by the transmitting/receivingantenna 101 of the monitor device 100, and supplied through an antennaco-use unit 102 to the receiving processing unit 103. The role of theantenna co-use unit 102 is to prevent interference of the transmittedsignals and the received signals.

That is, the present monitor device 100 is able to receive signals fromthe base device 200 through the transmitting/receiving antenna 101, aswell as to transmit e.g. operating signals form the own device by awireless route over the transmitting/receiving antenna 101. Hence, theantenna co-use unit 102 prevents transmitted signals from thetransmission processor 112 from interfering with signals received overthe antenna co-use unit 102.

The receiving processing unit 103 demodulates signals supplied thereto,in order to send the as-demodulated signals to the decoder 104(decompression processor). The base device 200 compresses picturesignals and speech signals of the TV broadcast programs of the groundwave, as selected by enclosed first and second tuners 201, 202, displaydata, such as text data or picture data, or speech data, received viathe own modem, or information signals, such as picture signals or speechsignals of BS programs form the STB, to transmit the so compressed data.

The decoder 104 of the mobile display device 100 is supplied withdemodulated compressed signals from the receiving processing unit 103and separates the picture signals and the speech signals from each otherto expand (decompress) the separated signals to restore the originalsignals (pre-compression signals).

The decoder 104 D/A-converts the restored picture and speech signals toform analog picture and speech signals. The decoder 104 sends the analogpicture signals to the OSD processor 105, while sending the analogspeech signals to the speech signal amplifier 108.

The OSD processor 105 is responsive to data sent from the controller 130to perform video signal processing for executing remote-control panel RPor menu display or display of various messages described above.Specifically, the OSD processor 105 is a so-called text/graphicprocessing circuit for carrying out the text, pictograms or symbols,other than the pictures of the broadcast programs.

For example, if the remote-control button 123, shown in FIG. 1, is usedto display the remote-control panel RP, responsive to a command from theuser, the information for the display is sent from the controller 130 tothe OSD processor 105. The picture signals from the decoder 104 and theinformation for displaying the remote-control panel RP from thecontroller 130 are synthesized together and sent to the picture signalprocessor 106.

For displaying the letter/character information, indicating the channel,or a sound volume bar, indicating the sound volume level, selectedresponsive to a command from a user, the information indicating these issent from the controller 130 to the OSD processor 105. The picturesignals from the decoder 104 and the information indicating theletter/character information or the sound volume bar indicating thesound volume, supplied from the controller 130, are synthesized togetherand sent to the picture signal processor 106.

If there is no necessity for synthesizing the display information, suchas the remote-control panel RP, to the picture signals, no displayinformation is sent to the OSD processor 105. Hence, the analog picturesignals are directly transmitted to the picture signal processor 106.This picture signal processor 106 forms display signals from the picturesignals, supplied through the OSD processor 105, to send the so formeddisplay signals to the LCD 107.

This displays a picture corresponding to the picture signals transmittedover a wireless route from the base device 200. If the displayinformation, such as the remote-control panel RP, has been synthesizedto the picture signals in the OSD processor 105, the displayinformation, such as the remote-control panel RP, is displayed, alongwith the picture corresponding to the picture signals from the decoder104.

The speech signal amplifier 108 amplifies the signals, supplied thereto,to a preset level, to supply the so amplified speech signals to theloudspeaker 109. This radiates the speech, corresponding to the speechsignals, transmitted over a wireless route from the base device 200.

In this manner, it is possible for the mobile display device 100 toreceive picture signals or speech signals, such as TV broadcastprograms, transmitted over a wireless route from the base device 200, toreproduce the so received picture signals or speech signals to outputthe so reproduced signals for presentation to a user.

The mobile display device 100 operates as a remote operating device foraccepting an operating input from the user by the remote control panelRP displayed on the LCD 107 and the touch panel 121 bonded to thesurface of the LCD 107 and for transmitting an operating signalcorresponding to the operating input to the base device 200.

The mobile display device 100 detects, by a coordinate detection unit122, a contact position (coordinate position) on a touch panel 121,touched by e.g. a user's finger. Based on a detection output by thecoordinate detection unit 122, the controller 130 discriminates anoperating input from the user to form an operating signal associatedwith the operating input. The controller 130 sends an operating signal,associated with the operating input, to the transmission signal former111. The transmission signal former 111 forms a transmission signal, tobe transmitted to the base device 200, from the operating signal fromthe operating signal from the controller 130, and sends the so formedtransmission signal to the transmission signal former 111. Thetransmission signal former 111 forms a transmission signal, to betransmitted to the base device 200, from the operating signal from theoperating unit 130, and sends the so formed signal to the transmissionprocessor 112. The transmission processor 112 modulates or amplifies thetransmission signals, sent thereto, to form transmission signals to beactually transmitted, and transmits the so formed transmission signalsto the base device 200 via transmitting/receiving antennas 101 and theantenna co-use unit 102. In this manner, the operating signal,transmitted over a wireless route from the mobile display device 100,are received by the base device 200.

To the mobile display device 100 is connected a key inputting unit 141over an interfacing unit (I/F) 140. The key inputting unit 141 isprovided e.g. with a power supply on/off switch. The operating input,accepted via the key inputting unit 141, is supplied via I/F 140 to thecontroller 130, whereby the processing may be carried out in keepingwith the operating key, such as power up.

The base device 200 is now explained in detail. FIG. 3 is a blockcircuit showing the base device 200 in the picture display system 1according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the base device200 includes first and second tuners 202A, 202B for selecting TVbroadcast signals, and a modulator/demodulator (modem) for connection tothe communication network, such as telephone network or the Internet,for connection to the telephone network over a telephone line L. In FIG.3, a terminal MJ is a connection terminal (modular jack) to thetelephone line L incoming from outside. The base device 200 includes aplural number of external input terminals 204, 205 (only two being shownin FIG. 3). For example, a variety of external input equipment 400, suchas VTR, STB, IRD or DVD devices, may be connected to the base device200.

This base device 200 is able to send information signals, such aspicture signals or speech signals of the TV broadcast programs, selectedby the own tuners 202A, 202B and demodulated, picture signals or speechsignals of satellite broadcast programs from the STB, to the mobiledisplay device 100 or to the large format display device 300.

That is, the base device 200 includes tuners 202A, 202B, connected toreceiving antennas 201A, 201B, demodulators 203A, 203B, a picture signalinput terminal 204, a speech signal input terminal 205, a selector 206,a compression processor 207, a transmission signal forming unit 208, atransmission processor 209, a antenna co-use unit 210, atransmitting/receiving antenna 211, and a reception processor 212, asshown in FIG. 3.

The various parts of the base device 200 are controlled by a controller230, formed by a micro-computer, formed by connection of a CPU 231, aROM 232, a RAM 233 and a EEPROM 234 over a connection bus 235.

The transmitting/receiving antenna 211 is a bidirectional communicationmeans with the mobile display device 100. An operating signal, generatedresponsive to the operating input from the user, is received via thetransmitting/receiving antenna 211 by the reception processor 212. Theoperating signal, received by the reception processor 212, is sent tothe controller 230. In this manner, the controller 230 of the basedevice 200 performs control so that the information signals (picturesignals) conforming to the user's request is supplied from an outputterminal 215 over a connection cable 350 shown in FIG. 1 to the largeformat display device 300.

The ROM 232 has recorded therein a variety of processing programs run bythe base device 200 according to the present invention and data neededfor processing. The RAM 233 is used as a work area for carrying outvarious operations, such as transiently holding and storing dataobtained in the various processing operations.

The EEPROM 234 is a so-called non-volatile memory in which theinformation stored and held therein is not lost even on power down. ThisEEPROM memorizes and holds the information of the broadcast channelselected directly before power down of the main power supply of the basedevice 200 and, after power up, selects the broadcast signals of thechannel selected directly before the previous power down by way ofrealizing the so-called last chance memory function.

A modem 220 is connected to a CPU bus 235. The MODEM 220 is made up byan interfacing unit (I/F) 221 and a communication unit 222. In thepresent embodiment, the I/F 221 is an interface between the telephonenetwork and the base device 200, and receives signals sent over thetelephone network or transmits signals from the base device 200 to thetelephone network, responsive to operating signals sent from the mobiledisplay device 100.

The communication unit 222 demodulates signals received via I/F 221 tosend the demodulated signal to the controller 230. In this manner,various data may be transmitted to or received from the counterpartparty to whom has been connected the telephone network.

This base device 200 is connected to the Internet via modem 220,telephone network L, and preset ISP (Internet Service Provider), so asto be supplied with various information data or transmit/receiveE-mails. In this manner, the controller 230 is able to control the modem220 to perform off-hook or on-hook operations, responsive to theoperating signal, sent from the mobile display device 100, Thecontroller also has the function as a so-called dial for sending outdial signals to the telephone network in case the modem 220 iscontrolled to perform the off-hook operation.

The base device 200 is electrically connected, via external inputterminals 204, 205, to the external inputting devices 400, and isresponsive to the operating signal sent from the mobile display device100 to select picture signals sent from the external inputting devices400 to send the so selected signals to the large format display device300.

Although not shown, a key input unit, provided with a power supplyon/off key or a variety of setting keys, is connected to the controller230, so that main power supply on/off of the base device 200 or avariety of setting input operations may be performed through the keyinputting unit.

The tuners 202A, 202B of the base device 200 select TV broadcast signalsof the channel corresponding to station selection command signal fromthe controller 230, from the TV broadcast signals, input over thereceiving antennas 201A, 201B, to send the so selected TV broadcastsignals to the demodulators 203A, 203B. The demodulators 203A, 203Bdemodulate the TV broadcast signals, supplied thereto, to send thedemodulated signals (signals of the TV program) to the selector 206.

This selector 206 is also supplied not only with picture signals, inputthrough the external input terminal 204, and speech signals, enteredthrough the external input terminal 205, but also with the informationfrom the controller 230. The information supplied from the controller230 to the selector 206 is the information of the so-called home page,publicized on the Internet, and the information of e.g. the E-mail,captured over modem 220.

The selector 206 is responsive to the switching control signal from thecontroller 230 to switch between the outputting of the TV broadcastsignals from the demodulator 203, picture signals from the externalinput terminals 204, 205, and a variety of information signals, acquiredover the modem 220 from the controller 230. The switching controlsignal, supplied from the controller 230 to the selector 206, is formedin the controller 230 responsive to the operating signal sent over awireless route from the mobile display device 100.

An output signal from the selector 206 is supplied to the compressionprocessor 207. The compression processor 207 compresses signals,supplied thereto, in accordance with a preset compression system. Thecompression processor 207 compresses signals from the selector 206,using a data compression system, such as MPEF system or wavelet system.

The signals compressed in the compression processor 207 are supplied tothe transmission signal forming unit 208. The transmission signalforming unit 208 formulates transmission signals in conformity to thepreset communication protocol. In the present embodiment, the basedevice 200 formulates transmission signals conforming e.g. to theprotocol of the IEEE (Institute Electrical and Electronics Engineering)802.11 system or a protocol derived therefrom.

The transmission signals, formulated in the transmission signal formingunit 208, are sent to the transmission processor 209, which isresponsive to control signals from the controller 230 to modulate oramplify the transmission signals. The transmission signals, processed inthe transmission processor 209, are transmitted, over a wireless route,to the mobile display device 100, via antenna co-using unit 210 andtransmitting/ receiving antenna 211. Similarly to the antenna co-usingunit 102 of the mobile display device 100, the antenna co-using unit 210prevents transmitted signals and received signals from interfering witheach other.

Thus, the base device 200 selects picture signals or speech signals,selected by the tuners 202A, 202B, picture signals or speech signals,received from the external input terminals 204, 205 or picture signalsor speech signals of the information acquired via modem 220, inaccordance with an operating signal from the mobile display device 100,to supply the so selected data to the large format display device 300from the output terminal 215 to the large format display device 300,over the connection cable 350 of FIG. 1. The base device also compressesthe data and transmits the so compressed data to the mobile displaydevice 100 over a wireless route in accordance with a presetcommunication protocol.

The touch panel 121, provided to the LCD 107 of the mobile displaydevice 100 in the picture display system 1 of the present invention, andthe remote control panel RP, displayed on the LCD 107, are furtherexplained in detail.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the remote-control panel RP, displayed on the LCD107, and are schematic views showing the remote-control panel RP for TVand that for the video, respectively. Although FIGS. 4 and 5 show thecase where only the remote-control panel RP on the LCD 107, an imagesimilar to an image displayed on the large format display device 300 maybe displayed in an area other than the area where the remote-controlpanel RP is displayed.

A remote controller for TV, shown in FIG. 4, may be displayed by actingon a remote-control button 123 shown in FIG. 1, provided on the mobiledisplay device 100, or on a dedicated remote-control button, configuredfor displaying the remote-control panel RP for TV. The remote-controlpanel other than the remote controller for TV, that is, theremote-control panel for video, shown in FIG. 5, may be displayed byacting on a button provided to an index image surface, or on a deviceselection button provided to the remote controller for TV.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are displayed, on the right side ofthe remote-control panel RP, a device selection button 5101 forselecting the base device 200 for demonstrating the images of the TVbroadcast programs from the base device 200, and device selectionbuttons 5102, 5103, . . . , for selecting the external inputting devices400 connected to the base device 200 for demonstrating various picturesignals from the external inputting devices 400.

In FIG. 4, the device selection button 5101 has been selected and theremote-control panel RP for TV is displayed. In FIG. 5, the video devicehas been selected as the external inputting device 400, and the deviceselection button 5103 specifying the video device has been selected andthe remote-control panel RP for video is displayed.

On these remote-control panels RP, there are provided, apart from thedevice selection buttons 5101, 5102, . . . , buttons 501 a to 501 d forswitching between the picture quality mode, image surface display, widedisplay, surround and so forth, of the image displayed on the largeformat display device 300 and on the LCD 107 a button for the powersupply of the large format display device 300, sound volume up buttonfor sound volume adjustment 503 a, a sound volume down button 503 b, amute button 504 and a display off button 505 for turning off the displayon the remote control panel.

On the remote-control panel RP for TV, shown in FIG. 4, there areprovided a display unit 520 for displaying a button for selecting the TVchannel, and a set of buttons for TV operations, such as TV channelselection button or a TV channel up/down button. The remote-controlpanel RP for video, shown in FIG. 5, there is provided a display unit530 for displaying a video power supply button, channel up/down buttons,operating buttons for video operations, such as record, play, rewind,fast feed, pause or stop buttons.

By acting on (touching) these buttons, the touch panel 121, provided onthe surface of the LCD 107, detects a location acted on, and thecontroller 130 of the mobile display device 100 formulates operatingsignals, indicating e.g. sound volume adjustment commands for soundvolume up/down, or station selection commands, such as channel up orchannel down, to send the so formulated operating commands from thetransmission processor 112 to the base device 200. The controller 230 ofthe base device 200 then performs sound volume adjustment or stationselection in keeping with the operating signals.

It is noted that the display of the remote-control panel RP is switchedresponsive to the selection of the device selection buttons 5102, 5103,. . . , used for selecting the external inputting devices 400, and thatdetailed setting of the device selection buttons 5102, 5103, . . . maybe effected from the setting image surface. FIG. 6 depicts a schematicview showing an example of the setting image surface. As for thissetting image surface, a setting image surface 550, shown in FIG. 6, maybe displayed on a window 540 of the LCD 107, e.g. by acting on adedicated button provided on the mobile display device 100, by acting ona dedicated button, provided on an index image surface, as laterexplained, or by acting on a remote-control setting button of anoperating bar 541, provided on a lower part of the window, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, display columns 551 to 553, indicating the settingof the input terminal, index and the remote-control setting, aredisplayed on the setting image surface 550. An operating bar 541 havinga variety of operating buttons is provided in a window 540 provided onthe lower part of the setting image surface 550.

A display column 551 of the input terminal indicates the sort of theexternal inputting devices 400 connected to an external input terminalprovided to the base device 200. In the present embodiment, there areprovided seven connection terminals connectable to the seven externalinputting devices 400 which are displayed in the columns of ‘video 1’ to‘video 7’.

An index display column 552 sets whether or not display is to be made inthe index image surface as later explained. FIG. 6 shows a case whereonly the external inputting device (‘video 2’) is not displayed on theindex image surface. The switching between display and no display on theindex image surface is by checking a check box 554 provided for each ofthe input terminals of the setting image surface 550 and acting on(touching) the operating button provided to the operating bar 541(display button 542/display cancel button 543).

A display column 553, specifying the remote controller setting, sets anddemonstrates the sorts of the external inputting devices 400. In thisremote control setting, more detailed setting may be made by checkingthe check box 554 provided for each input terminal of the setting imagesurface 550 and by acting on (touching) an operating button(remote-control setting button) 544 provided to the operating bar 541.

FIG. 7 depicts a schematic view showing an example of an image settingsurface for setting detailed remote-control setting. Referring to FIG.7, there are provided e.g. a remote controller name input column 561 forinputting the name for identifying the external inputting device 400, amanufacturer selecting column 562 for selecting the manufacturer of theexternal inputting device 400 corresponding to the name of the remotecontroller, and a machine type selecting column 563 for selecting themachine type thereof. The remote controller setting may be made for eachof the external inputting devices 400.

According to the present invention, the information of the externalinputting devices 400, as set by e.g. the setting image surface 550, maybe displayed by indexes. FIG. 8 shows an example of the index imagesurface. An index image surface 570 may be displayed on a window 540 byacting on a dedicated button, configured for displaying a remote controlbutton 123 of FIG. 1 or the index image surface 570, provided to themobile display device 100. The index image surface, shown in FIG. 8, isthe index image surface 570 following the setting shown in FIGS. 6 and7.

On the index image surface 570, there are displayed a channel selectingbutton 571 for switching and selecting TV channels, and a display button572 associated with one of the external inputting devices 400 (‘video 1’to ‘video 7’) connected to the input terminal and which has beenspecified for index display. It is noted that, in FIG. 6, the indexdisplay of the hard disc, as an external input device, connected to thesecond input terminal (‘video 2’), is ‘no display’ and hence the buttonassociated with this video 2 is not displayed. Apart from the button572, associated with these external inputting devices 400, there areprovided a button for connection to the Internet 573, a mail button 574for transmitting/receiving a mail, and an album button 575, for readingout data, such as photos, saved in a memory of the base device 200 orthe external inputting device. There is also provided a contents servicebutton 576 for accepting contents services.

When e.g. the TV channel selection button 571 on the index image surface570 is acted on (touched), the index image surface 570 is changed toremote-control display for video, shown in FIG. 4 and, when the videodisplay button 572 is acted on (touched), the index image surface 570 ischanged to a remote control display for video shown in FIG. 4. Asdescribed above, a button 510 n indicating the sort of the externalinputting device is displayed on the remote control panel for TV shownin FIG. 4 and on the remote control panel for video shown in FIG. 5.Since the index display for ‘video 2’ on the above setting image surfaceis ‘no display’, the button corresponding to the ‘video 2’ cannot bepressed (disabled). If the remote-control panel for video shown in FIG.5 is displayed, ‘video 1’ is highlighted (indicated with a differentcolor), whereas, if the remote-control panel for TV shown in FIG. 4 isdisplayed, ‘video 2’ is highlighted (indicated with a different color).

An operating bar 541 is provided in a lower part of the display window540 of the index image surface 570. For example, there are provided theaforementioned button for displaying the setting image surface, shown inFIG. 6, and operating buttons 581 n, such as image surface memo, imagesurface save, double speech, image sound sleeve, swap, throw and catch.For example, if the throw button, catch button or the swap button5811-5813 are acted on (touched), the touch panel detects the touchedpositions and the controller 130 of the mobile display device 100formulates operating signals indicating the throw command, catch commandor the swap command, depending on the positions detected by the touchpanel, to send the so formulated operating signals from the transmissionprocessor 112 to the base device 200.

The base device 200 compresses picture and speech signals of the TVbroadcast programs, selected by the tuner 202A, and transmits the socompressed data over a wireless route in accordance with the presetcommunication protocol to the mobile display device 100 to send theimage signals or the speech signals of the TV broadcast programs asselected by the tuner 202B from the output terminal 215 of the basedevice 200 over the connection cable 350 to the large format displaydevice 300. That is, the large format display device 300 and the mobiledisplay device 100 are able to display different information signals,such as different images. In such case, the display contents,demonstrated on the large format display device 300, may be interchangedwith the display contents, such as images, demonstrated on the mobiledisplay device 100, so that the display contents, demonstrated on thelarge format display device 300, are demonstrated on the mobile displaydevice 100, or so that, conversely, the display contents, demonstratedon the mobile display device 100, are demonstrated on the large formatdisplay device 300 (swapping), so that the display contents,demonstrated on the mobile display device 100, are demonstrated on thelarge format display device 300 as well (throwing) or so that thedisplay contents, demonstrated on the large format display device 300,are demonstrated on the mobile display device 100 as well (catching).

For example, if the controller 230 of the base device 200 has receivedthe throw command, the throw operation control on the side of the mobiledisplay device 100 and that on the side of the large format displaydevice 300 are carried out by parallel processing. More specifically, inthe throw operation control, it is verified by the mobile display device100 whether the throw operation is possible. If the throw operation isnot possible because the counterpart party of communication is outsidethe sphere of wireless communication or because the base device 200 isthe operation locked state, an error is displayed to terminate the throwoperation control.

In case the throw operation is possible, an operation signal, indicatingthe throw command, is transmitted from the mobile display device 100 tothe base device 200, and the processing of switching the receivingchannel of the large format display device 300 to the receiving channelof the mobile display device 100 is invoked and executed to terminatethe throw processing control.

On receipt of the invocation of the channel switching processing, thelarge format display device 300 performs image surface fadeout controland sound muting control as well as signal switching processing such asscan rate changing and subsequently cancels the image surface fadeoutand speech muting to terminate the throw operation control.

By this throw operation control, the display contents of the largeformat display device 300 are changed over to the display contents ofthe mobile display device 100. In this throw operation, the displaycontents of the mobile display device 100 are not changed over, and thefact that the throw operation has been carried out is displayed.

On receipt of a catch command, the controller 230 of the base device 200performs catch operation control on the side of the mobile displaydevice 100 and that on the side of the large format display device 300by the parallel processing. That is, in the catch operation control, themobile display device 100 verifies whether or not the catch operation ispossible. In case the throw operation is not possible because thecounterpart party of communication is outside the sphere of wirelesscommunication or because the base device 200 is the operation lockedstate, an error is displayed to terminate the catch operation control.

On the other hand, if the catch operation is possible, the side of thelarge format display device 300 acquires a receiving channel on the sideof the large format display device 300, and the mobile display device100 sends an operating command, indicating the catch command, to thebase device 200, and invokes and executes the processing of switchingthe receiving channel of the mobile display device 100 to the receivingchannel of the large format display device 300 to terminate the catchoperation control. It is noted that the pictures and the speech on theside of the mobile display device 100 are muted during the time ofexecution of interchanging the receiving channels of the mobile displaydevice 100.

In case the large format display device 300 has accepted the invocationof the processing of interchanging the received channels, channelinterchanging is not carried out, and the fact that the receivingchannel has been caught is displayed by the OSD processor 105 on theside of the mobile display device 100 and the catch indication by theOSD processor 105 is then canceled to terminate the catch operationcontrol.

By this catch operation control, the display contents of the largeformat display device 300 are not changed over and the catch display iscarried out by the OSD processor 105. The display contents of the mobiledisplay device 100 are changed over to the display contents of the largeformat display device 300.

On receipt of the swap command, the controller 230 of the base device200 performs swap operation control for the side of the mobile displaydevice 100 and for the side of the large format display device 300 byparallel processing. In the swap operation control, it is verified bythe mobile display device 100 whether the swap operation is possible. Ifthe catch operation is not possible because the counterpart party ofcommunication is outside the sphere of wireless communication or becausethe base device 200 is the operation locked state, an error is displayedto terminate the throw operation control.

In case the swap operation is possible, an operation signal, indicatingthe swap command, is transmitted from the mobile display device 100 tothe base device 200, and the processing of switching the receivingchannel of the mobile display device 100 to the receiving channel of thelarge format display device 300 is invoked and executed. The mobiledisplay device 100 acquires the receiving channel of the large formatdisplay device 300 and changes over the receiving channel of the mobiledisplay device 100 to the receiving channel of the large format displaydevice 300 to terminate the throw processing control. During the time ofexecution of the switching the receiving channel on the side of themobile display device 100, the image and the sound on the side of themobile display device 100 are muted.

On receipt of the invocation of the channel switching processing, thelarge format display device 300 performs image surface fadeout controland sound muting control as well as signal switching processing such asscan rate changing and subsequently cancels the image surface fadeoutand speech muting to terminate the swap operation control.

By this swapping operation control, the display contents of the largeformat display device 300 are changed over to the display contents ofthe mobile display device 100, while the display contents of the mobiledisplay device 100 are changed over to the display contents of the largeformat display device 300.

In the foregoing, explanation has been made of the image surfaceinterchanging processing, that is, the interchanging of the imagedisplay surface of the TV broadcast program, selected by the tuners202A, 202B of the base device 200, between the mobile display device 100and the large format display device 300, that is, the throw operationcontrol, catch operation control and the swap operation control.However, in case the BS program, provided by BS signals, selected by theSTB, is viewed, or in case the VTR or the DVD device is connected as theexternal inputting devices 400 to the base device, and a motion picture,for example, adapted to be reproduced by these VTR or DVD devices, isviewed, it is possible with the present picture display system 1 tointerchange the reproduced images by a similar sequence of operationsunder control by the selector 206.

With the present picture display system 1, it is possible, by theoperation of a lock switch, not shown, provided in the base device 200,not to accept the throw operation control, catch operation control orthe swap operation control by the button operation control.

The operation of the remote-control panel RP and the touch panel 121,provided to the mobile display device 100, is hereinafter explained.FIGS. 9 to 11 depict flowcharts for illustrating the operation indisplaying the remote-control panel RP.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the user presses the remote-control button 123(step S1), the controller 130 of the mobile display device 100 detectswhether or not the remote-control panel RP is displayable (step S2).Specifically, since the mobile base device 200 is communicating with thebase device 200 over a wireless route, it is detected whether or not thebase device 200 is able to communicate with the mobile display device100, such as by not being outside the sphere of wireless communication.If detection is not possible, the ‘outside sphere’ error display is madeon the LCD 107 (step S3). If detection is possible, the remote-controlpanel RP is displayed on the LCD 107 (step S4).

In case the remote-control panel RP is displayed, it is possible, withthe use of the mobile display device 100, to change the TV channel incase broadcast signals are supplied to the large format display device300, or to remote-control the external inputting devices connected tothe base device. In performing the remote-control operation, when theremote-control panel RP is actuated, this actuation is detected by thetouch panel (step S11) in FIG. 10. It is then detected, by thecontroller 130 of the mobile display device 100, whether or not theremote-control operation is possible (step S12). In the presentembodiment, detection of whether or not the remote control operation ispossible is made each time the user acts on the remote-control panel RP(touches the touch panel). Alternatively, detection may be madeperiodically, at a preset time interval, or it may be detected at alltimes whether or not the remote control operation is possible. In casethe remote control operation is not possible, the display of theremote-control panel RP on the LCD 107 is turned off and an error isindicated on the LCD 107 (step S13). If conversely it is detected in thestep S11 that the remote control operation is possible, and the user hasacted on a button on the remote-control panel RP, the touch panel 121,provided on the surface of the LCD 107, detects the contact site. Thecontroller 130 of the mobile display device 100 generates an operatingsignal, responsive to the detected contact position, to send the sogenerated operating signal from the transmission processor 112 to thebase device 200. On receipt of the operating signal, the controller 230of the base device 200 invokes the processing of switching the imagesignals to be supplied to the large format display device 300 (stepS314) to complete the processing. This switches the display of the largeformat display device 300.

When the operating signal from the mobile display device 100 has beensent to the base device 200, the base device 200 transmits a controlsignal for switching processing, attendant on the changing of e.g. theimage signals supplied, to the large format display device 300, as aparallel operation to the operation control of the step S14. On receiptof the switching processing control signal from the base device 200(step S15), the large format display device 300 effects image surfacefadeout and speech muting (step S16) as well as signal switchingprocessing, such as scan rate changing, and subsequently cancels theimage surface fadeout and speech muting to complete the operation.

The operation in case of switching the image signals supplied to thelarge format display device 300 is now explained. The remote controloperation is possible only when the remote-control panel RP is displayedon the LCD 107 of the mobile display device 100, as describedpreviously. By way of an example, such a case is explained in which, asa TV image is displayed on the large format display device 300, an inputswitching operation has been effected, that is, a ‘video’ button isactuated from the remote-control panel RP. In case the ‘video’ button isactuated, that is, touched, the touch panel detects it (step S21) andthe controller 130 of the mobile display device 100 detects whether ornot the remote control operation is possible (step S22). In case it hasbeen detected that the remote control operation is not possible, thedisplay of the remote-control panel RP is turned off and, in its stead,an error indication is displayed (step S23). If it has been detectedthat the remote control operation is possible, it is then detected thatwhether the input switching, as later explained, is interlocked or notinterlocked (step S24). If it has been detected that the input switchingis not interlocked, only the display on the remote-control panel RP,demonstrated on the mobile display device 100, is switched to theremote-control panel for video (step S25). If it has been detected thatthe input switching is interlocked, processing is carried out such thatthe display on the remote-control panel RP and that on the large formatdisplay device 300 are changed over simultaneously (step S26). That is,when an operating signal is sent from the mobile display device 100 tothe base device 200, the base device 200 sends a control signal foreffecting the switching processing for the large format display device300 to the large format display device 300, as a parallel operation tothe operation control of step S26. On receipt of the changeoverprocessing control signal from the base device 200 (step S27), the largeformat display device 300 effects image surface fadeout and sound mutingas well as signal switching processing such as scan rate changing andsubsequently cancels the image surface fadeout and speech muting toterminate the operation. This changes over the display of the largeformat display device 300.

The interlock/no interlock of the input switching in the above step S24is now explained. In the above explanation, it is assumed that imagesignals from the preset external inputting device 400 can be supplied tothe large format display device 300 by detecting the operation of thedevice selection button of the remote-control panel RP by the touchpanel, by changing over the display on the remote-control panel RP basedon the detected results, and by remote-controlling the base device 200to select one of the external inputting devices 400 to supply the imagesignals from the preset external inputting device 400 to the largeformat display device 300. That is, in case the sole external inputtingdevice is connected to each external inputting device, the deviceselection buttons 5102, 5103, . . . , shown in FIG. 5, are able toswitch and select the external inputting devices in associationoperatively with the switching selection of the external input terminalby the base device 200. However, there are occasions where pluralexternal inputting devices are connected, via e.g. an amplifier, to thesole external input terminal of the base device 200.

FIG. 12 depicts a schematic view showing an image display system in caseplural external inputting devices are connected, via e.g. an amplifier,to the external input terminal of the base device 200. Referring to FIG.12, an amplifier 410 is connected to an external input terminalassociated with the video input 1 of the base device 200. To thisamplifier are connected plural external input devices, such as videodevices 411, 412, a DVD 413, tuners or TV receivers.

In such case, each device selection button is associated with the soleexternal input terminal, so that the device selection button, associatedwith the external input terminal, connected to the amplifier 410, isunable to select the plural external input devices 411, 412, 413, . . ., connected thereto via amplifier 410. Thus, a button for settinginterlock/no interlock is provided on e.g. a setting image surface ofthe mobile display device 100, so that, if plural external inputtingdevices 400 are connected to a sole external input terminal, it ispossible to switch the device selecting operation by the remote-controlpanel and the touch panel and the operation of switching the externalinput terminal of the base device 200 to non-interlock. In case of thesetting to non-interlock, only the remote-control panel RP, demonstratedon the mobile display device 100, may be switched, without changing overthe input of the large format display device 300.

In case plural external inputting devices 400 are connected to theamplifier 410, the machine type, for example, of the external inputdevice is set on the setting image surface, in the same way as describedabove. If, in this case, the device selection button for selecting theexternal input terminal, connected to the amplifier 410, is actuated,the remote-control panel RP for actuating the amplifier shown in FIG. 13is displayed. Similarly to the remote-control panel RP, shown in FIGS. 4and 5, the remote-control panel RP for actuating the amplifier isprovided with a power supply button 602 for turning the power supply ofthe amplifier 410, a display off button 605 for deactivating the displayof the remote-control panel RP, and with a device selection operationdisplay unit 620, having displayed thereon device selection buttons 610n (6101, 6102, 6103, . . . ) associated with the external input devices411, 412, 413, . . . , connected to the amplifier 410, as shown in FIG.13. By the device selection buttons 610 n, it is possible to switchinputs to the amplifier 410. Thus, a desired one of the externalinputting devices 400, connected to the amplifier 410, may be selectedto supply the desired image to the base device 200. It is also possibleto provide an operating button display unit, such as a button foradjusting the sound volume.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic views showing a remote-control panel forTV and a remote-control panel for video when the input switching is ofthe non-interlocked type. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the functional buttons,which are the same as those of the remote-control panel shown in FIGS. 4and 5 are depicted by the same reference numerals, and detailedexplanation therefor is omitted for simplicity.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, an input switching button 506 is indicatedbelow the device selection buttons 5101, 5102, . . . , displayed on theright side of the remote-control panel RP. This input switching button506 is displayed only for input switching non-interlock time. It may beset by the user, with the aid of the setting image surface, whether theswitching of the device selection buttons 510 n and the selectiveswitching of the external input terminal of the base device 200 is to beof the interlock type or the non-interlock type (interlock/non-interlockof the input switching).

When the input switching button 506 is displayed, with the inputswitching being of the non-interlocked type, display is switched to theremote-control panel RP, associated with the pre-set device, in the caseof the mobile display device 100, by the operation of the deviceselection buttons 510 n. However, display on the large format displaydevice 300 is not switched, in distinction from the case where the inputswitching is of the interlocked type. Hence, with the device selectionbuttons 510 n, the switching selection of the external input terminalsof the base device 200 is not possible. Consequently, when the inputswitching is non-interlock and the external input terminals are to beswitched, the input switching button 506 is actuated (touched) and thisoperation is detected by the touch panel 121, whereby the operatingsignal is sent to the base device 200, so that the base device 200sequentially selects the external input terminals.

First, the user selects the external input terminal, connected to theamplifier 410 of the base device 200, by the input switching button 506,to display the remote-control panel RP for actuating the amplifier 410shown in FIG. 13. By selecting the target external inputting device,from this remote-control panel RP for operating the amplifier, and byacting on the device selecting button 510 n provided on the right sideof each remote-control panel RP or the index image, the remote-controlpanel RP associated with the target external input device is displayed.That is, if the target of the operation is the TV or the video, theremote-control panel for TV shown in FIG. 14, or the remote-controlpanel for video shown in FIG. 15, is displayed, respectively. Using theremote-control panel RP and the touch panel 121, the base device 200 isremote-operated to display a preset image on the large format displaydevice 300.

The above-described embodiment is directed to the image display system1, made up by the mobile display device 100, base device 200 and thelarge format display device 300 with the image signals supplied from thebase device 200 being displayed on the mobile display device 100 and thelarge format display device 300. Alternatively, the base device 200 maybe designed to send image signals to plural mobile display devices 100and to the large format display device 300 by wireless signaltransmission or by wired signal transmission.

The present invention has been explained for the case in which the basedevice includes tuner means, TV broadcast programs are selectedresponsive to actuating signals sent from the mobile display device 100,responsive in turn from the user's command, and the correspondingpicture signals are sent to the large format display device 300. In thiscase, tuner means may be provided as the external inputting devices 400,or tuner means may be provided to the large format display device 300.In this case, the operating signals from the mobile display device 100may be supplied via base device 200 to the external inputting devices400 or to the large format display device 300 to control the tuner meansto select picture signals.

The present invention has been explained for the case where the touchpanel (contact position detection means) for detecting the contactposition on the display image surface of the LCD 107 is provided toaccept the operating input from the user. However, according to thepresent invention, the means for accepting the operating input from theuser is not limited is not limited to the touch panel. For example, theoperating input accepting means may be external devices, such aspointing means, such as mouse or trackball, or an operating input means,composed of a cross-button and a decision button, apart from the LCD107. A plural number of the above-described operation inputting meansmay be provided instead of one of the operation inputting means.

In the above-described image display system 1 according to the presentinvention, the base device 200, interconnecting a variety of theinformation transmitting mediums, such as external inputting devices,ground wave TV broadcast or communication networks, such as theInternet, on one hand, and the mobile display device 100 or the largeformat display device 300, on the other hand, is remote-operated by themobile display device 100, capable of bi-directional communication withthe base device 200 over a wireless route, to transmit informationsignals, such as picture or speech signals of TV programs, picture dataor speech data obtained from the communication network over the modem ofthe base device 200, or picture or speech signals of BS broadcastprograms from e.g. the STB of the external input devices, connected tothe base device 200, to the large format display device 300, to displaya desired image on the large format display device 300.

Since the mobile display device 100 according to the present inventionis small-sized and lightweight, and is connected to the base device 200by wireless communication, so that it may be carried about conveniently.The user may take it to any place within the sphere of possiblecommunication with the base device 200 and may reproduce and output theinformation signals provided by the base device 200 on the large formatdisplay device 300 for presentation to the user.

Moreover, by the operation on the mobile display device 100, the user isable to acquire the information of the so-called home pages, provided onthe Internet, to view the information on the Internet, to receive anE-mail addressed to the user for display on the LCD 107 or to prepareand transmit the E-mail to the target counterpart party.

It is to be noted that, as may be apparent to those skilled in the art,various changes, substitutions or corrections may be envisaged withoutdeparting from the scope and the spirit of the present invention asdefined in the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The picture display system according to the present invention includesfirst and second display devices and a base device for supplying picturesignals to at least the first display device, wherein the first displaydevice includes a picture display unit for displaying the picturesignals supplied from the base device, the second display deviceincludes a display unit for displaying the display information foroperation, for accepting an operating input from a user, an operatinginput accepting means for accepting an operating input from a user, anoperating signal generating means for generating operating signalsconforming to display items of the display information for operation, asspecified by the operating input accepting means, and a communicationmeans for transmitting the operating signals to the base device. Thebase device includes a picture signal outputting means for outputtingthe picture signals at least to the first display device, acommunication means for receiving the operating signals at least fromthe second display device, an external input device connecting means forconnecting the base device to an external input device as a source ofsupply of the picture signals, and a control signal transmitting meansfor transmitting an external input device control signal, controllingthe external input device, based on the operating signal, to theexternal input device. The second display device may generate anoperating signal, in keeping with the operating input from the user, totransmit the so generated operatig signal to the base device. Theexternal input device, connected to the base device, as a supply sourceof the picture signals, connected to the base device, is controlled tosend desired picture signals to the first display device for displaythereon. The second display device, accepting the operations from theuser, may be operated as a remote operating device for the first displaydevice.

1. A picture display system including first and second display devicesand a base device for supplying picture signals to at least said firstdisplay device, wherein said first display device includes a picturedisplay unit for displaying said picture signals supplied from said basedevice; said second display device includes a display unit fordisplaying the display information for operation, for accepting anoperating input from a user, operating input accepting means foraccepting an operating input from a user, operating signal generatingmeans for generating operating signals conforming to display items ofsaid display information for operation, as specified by said operatinginput accepting means, and communication means for transmitting saidoperating signals to said base device; said base device includingpicture signal outputting means for outputting said picture signals atleast to said first display device, communication means for receivingsaid operating signals at least from said second display device,external input device connecting means for connecting the base device toan external input device as a source of supply of said picture signals,and control signal transmitting means for transmitting an external inputdevice control signal, controlling said external input device, based onsaid operating signal, to said external input device.
 2. The picturedisplay system according to claim 1, wherein said operating inputaccepting means of said second display device includes contact positiondetection means for detecting a contact position on a display surface ofsaid display unit adapted to be contacted by a user; said operatingsignal generating means generating an operating signal conforming to adisplay item of said display information for operation displayed at acontact position on said display image surface detected by said contactposition detection means.
 3. The picture display system according toclaim 1, wherein said communication means of said base device transmitsat least a response signal to said operating signal to said displaydevice; said communication means of said second display device receivingsaid response signal.
 4. The picture display system according to claim1, wherein said base device further includes tuner means and sendspicture signals selected by said tuner means based on said operatingsignal via said picture signal outputting means to said first displaydevice.
 5. The picture display system according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst display device further includes tuner means and displays picturesignals selected by said tuner means based on an operating signal fromsaid base device on said picture display unit.
 6. The picture displaysystem according to claim 1, wherein said control signal transmittingmeans of said base device transmits said external input device controlsignal for said external input device over a wireless route.
 7. Thepicture display system according to claim 6, wherein said control signaltransmitting means of said base device converts the external inputdevice control signal, transmitted over the wireless path, into infraredsignals, which are output.
 8. The picture display system according toclaim 1, wherein said base device further includes receiving meansconnected to a communication network and adapted for receivinginformation signals transmitted through said communication network, andtransmission control means for performing control for transmitting saidinformation signals to a specified display device in case said operatingsignal is a transmission command for transmitting said informationsignals to said first display device and/or said second display device.9. The picture display system according to claim 1, wherein said basedevice further includes transmission information transmitting meanswhich, in case said operating signal is the transmission information tobe sent to a counterpart connected to said base device over saidcommunication network, sends said transmission information over saidcommunication network to the target counterpart.
 10. The picture displaysystem according to claim 1, wherein said display information foroperation is transparently displayed on said display image surface. 11.The picture display system according to claim 1, wherein said externalinput device connecting means is connected via an amplifier to saidexternal input device as a source of supply of said image signals. 12.The picture display system according to claim 1, wherein said seconddisplay device has an interlock/non-interlock function of selectingwhether or not picture signals supplied to said first display device areto be switched in association operatively with display contents of saiddisplay information for operation.
 13. A picture displaying method of apicture display system including first and second display devices and abase device for supplying picture signals to at least said first displaydevice, said method comprising an accepting step of accepting anoperating input from a user based on the display information foroperation on a display image surface of said second display device; anoperating signal generating step of generating an operating signalconforming to a display item of said display information for operation,specified by said accepting step; an operating signal transmitting stepof transmitting said operating signal to said base device viabidirectional communication means exchanging signals between said seconddisplay device and said base device; and an external input devicecontrolling step of controlling an external input device as a supplysource of said picture signals based on said operating signal.
 14. Thepicture displaying method according to claim 13, further comprising astep of controlling tuner means of said base device by said operatingsignal; and a step of displaying picture signals, selected by saidoperating signal, to said first display device.
 15. The picturedisplaying method according to claim 13, further comprising a step ofcontrolling tuner means of said base device by said operating signal;and a step of displaying picture signals, selected by said operatingsignal, by said picture display unit.
 16. The picture displaying methodaccording to claim 13, further comprising a receiving step of said basedevice receiving information signals coupled to a communication networkand transmitted over said communication network; and a transmissioncontrol step of managing control so that, in case said operating signalis a transmission command of transmitting said information signals tosaid first display device and/or said second display device, saidinformation signals are transmitted to said specified display device.17. The picture displaying method according to claim 13, furthercomprising a transmission information transmitting step of said basedevice transmitting said transmission information to the targetcounterpart, over said communication network, in case said operatingsignal is the transmission information transmitted to said counterpartconnected to said base device over said communication network.
 18. Adisplay apparatus comprising communication means for exchanging signalswith a base device connected to an external input device as a supplysource of a plurality of picture signals and adapted for supplyingpreset picture signals to at least one picture display device; displaymeans for displaying the display information for operation for acceptingan operating input from a user; operating input accepting means foraccepting an operating input from a user; and operating signalgenerating means for generating an operating signal conforming to adisplay item of said display information for operation specified by saidoperating input accepting means; said operating signal being sent oversaid communication means to said base device; said base device sending apreset image signal from said external input device to said picturedisplay device for display thereon.
 19. The display apparatus accordingto claim 18, wherein said operating input accepting means includescontact position detection means provided on a display image surface ofsaid display unit for detecting a contact position on said display imagesurface contacted by a user; said operating signal generating meansgenerating an operating signal conforming to a display item of saiddisplay information for operation displayed at a contact position onsaid display image surface detected by said contact position detectionmeans.